Timkat Festival – Ethiopia

Arrive to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to hotel for the evening.

Addis Ababa City Tour today including stops at the National Museum to see Lucy and Selam (both over 3 million years old), the Palace of Menelik II, and the Ethnological Museum. Then, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony and lunch. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Transfer to airport for late morning flight to Lalibela. Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 12th century. Upon arrival, visit the first group of rock hewn churches including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Mesmer, Bete Golgotha, and Bete Mikael. Check into lodge and enjoy dinner in the evening.

Today, we’ll spend the day exploring the second group of rock hewn churches of Lalibela including Bete Amanuel, Bete Qeddus Mercoreus, Bete Abba Libanos, Bete Gabriel-Rufael, and Bete Lehem. We’ll also visit nearly monasteries and a traditional village. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Transfer to airport for late morning flight to Gondar. This former imperial capital is famous for its 17th and 18th century castles and churches. This is also the epicenter of the Timkat Festival celebrated by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fasil Ghebbi – this royal enclosure contains 6 castles! We’ll then visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church and the Fasilides Bath. Check into hotel. Tonight is Timkat Eve. We’ll watch the Ketera procession and the beginning of the festival activities. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Timkat Festival Day!  This vibrant and colorful celebration of the Epiphany – the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan – will be the highlight of the trip. During the famous Tabot Procession priests carries replicas of the Ark of the Covenant from every church to a designated body of water. We’ll also witness activities around the “Blessing of the Waters.” We can’t wait for this deeply special and spiritual experience.

In the morning, we’ll drive to the gorgeous Simien Mountains National Park. Check into hotel for lunch. Then enjoy an afternoon hike to observe the stunning Gelada Baboons amongst the mountain scenery. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Today, we take a leisurely drive through the Ethiopian countryside farther North to reach Axum. Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was seen as a superpower from the 1st through the 8th centuries AD. It is believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant in the Church of St Mary of Zion. Check into hotel and relax in the evening.

Today, we’ll explore Axum by visiting the Stelae Park (4th century obelisks), The Archeological Museum, Tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Markel, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, and the famous St. Mary of Zion Church. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Relax in the morning and then head to the airport for afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon landing, we’ll stop at Tomoca Coffee Shop – Ethiopian owned and operated since 1953. We’ll then visit a local art gallery and shop and have a fun farewell dinner at Temsalet Kitchen Social Enterprise Restaurant. This is a women led social enterprise rooted in community, culture and purpose. Check into hotel in the evening.

Transfers to airport for flight home. Standard check out time is 10am.